O gênero Echinococcus no contexto de Saúde Única

Abstract

Species of the Echinococcus genus are responsible for causing cystic diseases in animals and humans worldwide. This genus currently contains 10 species, which are divided into strains/genotypes of different intermediate and definitive hosts, responsible for causing, in humans, Cystic Echinococcosis, Alveolar Echinococcosis and Polycystic Echinococcosis. In animals that are considered definitive hosts, infections by Echinococcus spp. tend not to show clinical signs. However, in domestic intermediate hosts, the presence of cysts is detected on post-mortem inspection, which results in the removal and disposal of affected areas. It is a complex disease, as it has in its dissemination cycle several unexplained host and parasite interactions associated with risk factors such as poverty and low educational level of the population, in addition to the reduced notification of cases. Due to this conjunction of elements, this disease requires a multidisciplinary approach for its control. The objective of this work is, through a literature review, to relate the main aspects of echinococcosis in the context of One Health, addressing the characterization of the life cycle of parasites of the genus Echinococcus, the post-mortem inspection as a tool for epidemiological analysis and barrier that prevents the continuation of the parasite's life cycle, the importance of the disease in Public Health, its diagnosis, treatment and control.